MFN status for India postponed: Nawaz

E-Paper | June 16, 2026

HAGUE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Monday that the granting of Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India had been postponed.

Sharif also said that the government's committee to mediate with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan would visit North Waziristan tomorrow in order to hold direct talks with the Taliban leadership.

Speaking to mediapersons after holding a meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry, during the sidelines of a two-day nuclear summit, Sharif said that the Kashmir issue should be resolved adding that India showed reluctance every time Pakistan raised the matter with it.

The premier also proposed an intervention by a third force over the issue and said that the matter could be resolved if a third force like the United States was involved.

The Prime Minister also admitted that decision to grant MFN status to India was postponed because of a lack of consensus. Sharif further said that he had directed his team to talk to all stakeholders and develop consensus on the matter.

“We also deferred this due to elections in India because we did not want to favor single political party in India”, the Prime Minister commented.

In 2012, Pakistan had committed itself to giving the MFN status to India after a strong persuasive note by the World Bank, and having done all the necessary spadework in this regard, opted to miss its own deadline of December 31, owing to domestic opposition and reciprocal response from New Delhi.

Talking about the mediation with the Taliban he said the government was holding talks with sincerity and the committee to hold talks on behalf of the government would visit North Waziristan tomorrow where direct talks would take place with the Taliban leadership.

Answering another question the prime minister said that peace in Afghanistan was the need of Pakistan and also welcomed the US move of halting drone strikes in Pakistani territory.

Earlier, Prime Minister Sharif met US Secretary of State John Kerry and both sides reaffirmed their desire to continue the strategic dialogue, covering a wide range of areas.

US Secretary of State said his country has great confidence in Pakistan's nuclear security and will continue to work with Pakistan in fighting terrorism.

In brief remarks to the press he also assured cooperation to Pakistan to help meet its energy needs.

John Kerry said the two countries were “deeply engaged” and said the two sides will focus on the issue of terrorism, counter terrorism, global energy besides Afghanistan and the bilateral Pakistan-United States relations.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said there were a lot of challenges for his government that came into power nine months back, however measures were afoot to address these.

He also mentioned his meeting with US President Barack Obama a few months ago in Washington DC and said the dialogue with the US will continue.

John Kerry mentioned his meeting in Washington with the Adviser to Prime Minister Sartaj Aziz recently and said he was looking forward to his meeting with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar soon.

The Prime Minister is accompanied by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Syed Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry.

— Mateen Haider also contributed to the reporting of this story

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MEDUSA

Mar 24, 2014 07:42pm

First the EU, and then the World Bank strong arming Pakistan's leaders to grant MFN status to India. The Sharif government is very wise to postpone this move not only because of elections in India, but also such decisions should not be hastened when there is pressure from foreign organizations such as the World Bank. The World Bank and other such organizations have been infiltrated by Indians who are interjecting themselves in such dealings with Pakistan. At a recent World Bank event, I personally heard some Indian born employees of this organization bragging about how they would make any and all contracts with Pakistan detrimental to its socio-economic growth and give India all the advantages. This is a clear conflict of interest, and these Indian associated employees should recuse themselves from any and all such negotiations when it comes to Pakistan. Would India allow Pakistanis (many who hold high level executive positions in these same organizations) to call the shots in dealings with India on such matters?? India would object very loudly if any Pakistani employee of said organizations were involved in any form or manner in Indian World Bank, IMF, UN, or USAID negotiations. Would any Indian employee of the World Bank, IMF, United Nations, and USAID want Pakistan to succeed socio-economically? The Pakistani leadership needs to make sure no Indians or Indian born employees of any of these entities have any involvement in such dealings with Pakistan, either behind the scenes or up front and center.

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Shyam Kokku

Mar 24, 2014 07:58pm

NS gave three reasons for postponement - Kashmir issue, lack of consensus in Pakistan and elections India. None of these are new and very much there last week when he indicated MFN status for India. Pakistan and its people are the losers!

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punjabi

Mar 24, 2014 08:20pm

Let there be TRADE.............

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John

Mar 24, 2014 08:34pm

Really laughable flip-flop in public.

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NASAH (USA)

Mar 24, 2014 08:46pm

Pakistan will always lack courage over MFN status to India (courtesy per establishment) -- we say -- go to 200 miles to Delhi instead of 4 thousand miles to Amsterdam -- what are you doing in Amsterdam? You may brighten the drab Dutch with your brilliance -- but there is darkness under the Nawaz Sharif's lamp for the neighborhood. Take care of the neighborhood FIRST.

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Peace

Mar 24, 2014 09:05pm

> We also deferred this due to elections in India because we did not want to favor single political party in India > Blockquote really??

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Ammar

Mar 24, 2014 09:12pm

"after a strong persuasive note by the World Bank" TALK ABOUT UNDER REPORTING!!!! Tell one thing what is this persuasive note? why there's no link in this story?

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zak

Mar 24, 2014 09:13pm

Best news I have heard. Postpone till Kashmir is resolved.

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Bahadur

Mar 24, 2014 09:19pm

Best ever decision made by an in active government.No MFN to india till the new government takes charge after the elections and then be with a condition of solving Jammu & Kashmir issue first.

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someone

Mar 24, 2014 10:28pm

Double Face Pakistan government at its best. No surprise Indian government does not trust NS.

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Deep

Mar 24, 2014 10:32pm

So it is clear that Pakistan does not see it as a trade tool but rather a concession to India. It only reinforces my thinking that development and upliftment of masses was never there on the agenda of those who ruled Pakistan be it military dictators or democratically elected civlian Goverments. But let me make it clear that no concessions are waiting for Pakistan for this coveted trophy that you want to award to India.

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Prapur

Mar 24, 2014 10:58pm

Mia Nawaz forget Kashmir and try to mange what you got. You have bomb going on in your country every day, so don't try to meddle in Kashmir.

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Atam Vetta

Mar 25, 2014 12:24am

Perhaps, individuals supporting the postponing of MFN status do not realise its implications. World Trade Organisation (WTO) has about 159 members. Its regulations oblige each member to give all other members the MFN status. India gave this status to Pakistan long time ago. WTO wants Pakistan to follow the rules. Other international organisations, like IMF, also want Pakistan to follow the rules. Indeed, for the last loan Pakistan gave an undertaking to the IMF that it will give India the MFN status. Obviously, Pakistan is in breach of this undertaking as well. Were India to register a complaint with WTO, Pakistan will have to grant the MFN status to India on pain of expulsion. Fortunately, India does not seem to care for the MFN status from Pakistan and will wait till Pakistan is ready.

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Vinay

Mar 25, 2014 12:30am

@Prapur: Yes Prapur, Indians such as you think India is free from bombings and terrorism? Indian communities are bombed every day by extremist Hindus yet Indian media, ( unlike the democratci and FREE Pakistan media ) covers it all up! Get real!

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Ravi Dallas TX

Mar 25, 2014 12:34am

So who is loosing ?

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Robert

Mar 25, 2014 01:01am

@MEDUSA: Think and find a way to converse about what are good for Pakistan and how best to accomplish that. Keep India out of that conversation. That is how Pakistan will prosper.

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john

Mar 25, 2014 01:01am

@MEDUSA: Going by those measures - Pakistan will be standing alone in the world in next 10 years.Indians are everywhere. What do you want now - Social boycott of Pakistani citizens worldwide?

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Youth

Mar 25, 2014 01:12am

Nawaz Sharif has taken a correct decision to postpone MSN status to India. The time is not ripe for this favour. There are issues that need to be settled before such favour is allowed.

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NASAH (USA)

Mar 25, 2014 01:55am

@MEDUSA: This is the usual desi petty talk -- Mr. Nawaz Sharif's wisdom lies in making friends out of old enemies -- not creating more enemies out of potential friends. If Nawaz Sharif can sit across the table with the Taliban -- he is courageous enough to sit down with the Indians. At least the Indians have NOT killed 50 thousand innocent Pakistanis. I am a shameless proponent of Indo-Pak amity

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Aslam

Mar 25, 2014 02:54am

Hold talk with Taliban leaders ? Why so much of respect for these goons ?

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Waleed D

Mar 25, 2014 03:24am

MFN status to India? It is laughable. Indian govt. does not give visas to Pakistanis easily and we are awarding with MFN. I tried to get a visa just to visit India, but was told that I have to go through a 6 month background check or go back to Pakistan and try it there. I have a US passport, but still the same rules. As long as there is no trust, why bother with MFN.

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Akil Akhtar

Mar 25, 2014 04:03am

Finally the right decision by a weak prime minister be it under pressure from establishment. India bans everything Pakistan from sports to TV channels to keep its masses brain washed with hatred and at the same time wants MFN so it can flood our market with cheaper indian goods and kill our industry. Wonder why those who do not want to ahev sports link with us are so keen on trade.....

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Guest

Mar 25, 2014 04:09am

Nawaz was not a businessman after all!!

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Rashid

Mar 25, 2014 05:25am

Granting MFN status to India is a bad idea. They impose heavy duty on imports from Pakistan, and their is no way they would let Pakistani products get easy access to their market. The one thing that I have learnt from my 13 years of interaction with Indians, is that they will do any thing that goes against Pakistani interests.

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ashutosh sharma

Mar 25, 2014 06:15am

Dying for this prestigious status. Perhaps NS postponed this because his Indian counterpart shown no interest when he first announced it.

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Anup

Mar 25, 2014 07:20am

It will not make a big difference to India but will be a difference for Pakistan. Having normal business relations with India will definitely benefit them. But, its up to them since Indians have bigger worries to sort. The biggest issue is developing consensus not other two, I think. If we take whatever happened in the past between two countries then should realize that there are many people in Pakistan who want challenge their system. So, first and best thing Pakistan needs to learn is develop consensus on issues within their society.

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lone tracker

Mar 25, 2014 08:07am

forget MFN.India and pakistan have too many problems with each other. tomorrow even if Kashmir is given on a platter to Pakistan, the problem will persist. this is because, the issue is not political but religious. Each perceives the other fundamentally as a threat. The countries were born out of mutual hatred and suspicion. All these feel good acts will never resolve the core issue (which is not Kashmir btw).

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ProudWinnerOf1971war

Mar 25, 2014 10:10am

Keep your MFN with yourselves.. we dont want it.

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El Cid

Mar 25, 2014 10:21am

@MEDUSA: Excellent expose. Very well put. Paks need to be informed of what is being done to them at 'high place' by schemers, mthe enemy, and the corrupt. NZ caught this one in time. Well done.

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Ratnam

Mar 25, 2014 10:22am

There are many Indians who wish Pakistan well. This is contrary to the beliefs of some of the Pakistani readers commenting on this article. But whenever we (meaning the well-wishers from India) read about the back-and-forth on granting MFN status to India by the NS government, which is to the obvious disadvantage of Pakistan and its people, we beat our heads and groan in exasperation and irritation. There is little to be gained by this pointless obstinacy. Has it worked in the past? The answer is "No". Will it work in the future. It is very unlikely. In the meantime India marches ahead and is unaffected by this indecisiveness because its trade volume with Pakistan is paltry and so it does not care. So, who stands to lose? For a smaller country like Pakistan it may be better to increase the volume and balance of trade, and then press for a solution of disputes. Otherwise there are no teeth to bite.

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El Cid

Mar 25, 2014 11:13am

@NASAH (USA): *I am a shameless proponent of Indo-Pak amity* Yes, indeed you are. The residues of Mir Jaffar and Sadiq are stiil with us, taking their toll, pound of flesh.

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Isa, Carrums Down, Australoia

Mar 25, 2014 11:17am

Don't give MFN status to India. China can provide us all the things we need

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Shah

Mar 25, 2014 11:36am

Consensus is the key word here. A democracy can not ignore it's people who now know India is behind unrest in Balochistan, diverting river waters, crossed the international border several times and continue to occupy Kashmir. A no one enemy can not be a MFN - even when only limited to trade. We can do without Indian tomatoes and apples.

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Shah

Mar 25, 2014 11:44am

@Atam Vetta: You are wrong, India cares very much and would love a MFN status from the worlds 5th largest country. By geography our two countries can become large trade partners. But all this do not make a difference when India support unrest in Balochistan, divert our river waters and continue it's occupation over our Kashmiri Muslim brethren.

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Manoj

Mar 25, 2014 11:46am

@NASAH (USA): Gr8 thinking

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Manoj

Mar 25, 2014 11:47am

Gr8 and matured Thinking

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Shah

Mar 25, 2014 11:47am

@john: Actually going by percentage there are more Pakistani (4-5 million) working abroad in Europe, America and Middle East then Indians (6-7 million) - not that this should be a benchmark.

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Shah

Mar 25, 2014 11:48am

@ProudWinnerOf1971war: then ask your government to stop asking for it then!

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Nedumaran

Mar 25, 2014 12:25pm

@Waleed D: Do you know that India extends MFN status to Pakistan? Do you know that Pakistan is OBLIGATED under WTO treaty to extend MFN status to all member countries of WTO including India? Do you know that over the years Pakistani leaders have repeatedly assured publicly and in writing that they will imminently extend the MFN status to India? Not as a favor, but as reciprocity and fulfilling their international treaty obligations. But guess what? Indians mostly don't care about Pak giving them MFN status, because Pakistan is not a big enough market to deal with. India will continue with Pak as an MFN, as it's not worried about imports from Islamabad. The only problem is if India drags Pakistan before WTO for this violation, Pakistan will likely be ejected from WTO. There will also be no more WB, IMF and ADB bailouts to Pakistan.

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Deena

Mar 25, 2014 01:45pm

PM has taken a wise decision. India cannot be our MFN, as it policies and attitude towards Pakistan has always been negative and sarcastic. I am not of the view that Pakistan should stop trade and developing good relations with India but give India the status of MFN would put India at hallmark situation and it would be something which will be more than it deserves. GOP must go for securing its national interest by developing good relations with other countries.

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Rahul Mishra

Mar 25, 2014 07:17pm

@MEDUSA:Brother the only way to develop is by trade..with trade you get money that can be spent for better cause..I personally feel India should utilize opportunity of china's growth that would enable benifits..what India is loosing might be case of Pakistan with India. World bank want's their money back so they must be suggesting an option..its all up to Pakistan government what they want ..gaining popularity for winning election or something else..India to bas develop ho hi jayega

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sumit

Mar 26, 2014 02:28pm

Economically, pakistan is not in a position where its MFN status will impact country like India. For their own benefit and survival they should start acting mature as a country.

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Mohammad Iqbal

Mar 26, 2014 03:50pm

It is not true. Pakistan already granted MFN status to india. Now you can see everywhere the sign boards of Lux showing Deepika and Imran. Previously we use to have poor Reema who is now away in greelands. We also have Saif Ali for Head and shoulders and Kareena kapoor for Q mobile and I purchase my favourite Indian chalia from my pan shop. What more MFN status the rulers want to give.

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ganudada

Mar 26, 2014 05:43pm

@Youth: You sound so patronizing. Apart from terrorism and bigotry, there is not much Pakistan can export.

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ganudada

Mar 26, 2014 05:45pm

@Deena: Do you mean China? They do not allow Pakistani visitors on visit visa, only business visa are allowed. Please check with their embassy.

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glassyman

Mar 26, 2014 10:46pm

@john: Kuwait banned Pakistani nationals along with 5 other (Islamic) countries. So much for the ummah.

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akram

Mar 26, 2014 11:17pm

@Atam Vetta: if Pakistan is loser why you Indians are worried. India is never sincere to Pakistan

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akram

Mar 26, 2014 11:20pm

@MEDUSA: I agree

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akram

Mar 26, 2014 11:27pm

@NASAH (USA): it is not the Nawaz Sharif but the India who does not sit on the table and will always shy away when it comes to solving the disputes.

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siddharth

Mar 27, 2014 10:25am

@MEDUSA: If you are US based then please remember that People sitting in US should not comment on this. If you are such a patriot please come back to your country and be a part of the change ...rather than sitting in a country who has given you nothing other than making you their colony. Understand Indians and the Pakistanis are trying their level best to mend their relations and have done this to a considerable level. Both the countries have many sets of people pulling them back but still they have not given up. Coming to your point of Indians being in world bank....who has stopped the Pakistanis or any other nationals to join world bank. And do you actually mean that all the organizations you mentioned are baised to this level. So stop giving conspiracy theories siting outside your country and come back and be a part of change.

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ProudWinnerOf1971war

Mar 27, 2014 05:22pm

@Shah Please provide any proof/sources to prove that GOI is asking for it. Trust me no country in world will want MFN from Pak.

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MEDUSA

Mar 27, 2014 11:44pm

@Rahul Mishra: I totally agree that a Pakistan- India trade policy would benefit Pakistan's economy, yet at what cost to Pakistan? Too many times India uses its clout via 3rd party pressure ( IMF, World Bank, EU, etc.) to influence such policies which does not bode well for Pakistan. As I've stressed many times on Dawn's comment pages, India and Pakistan need to resolve some very serious issues first, before granting MFN status to India. Once this is done, w/o outside foreign interference - then trade relations between Pakistan and India will improve.

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